Reducing distractions caused by a communication session with a remote device that is used during driving

ABSTRACT

An electronic system, a method, and a computer program product support wireless communication with reduced distraction for a driver experiencing challenging driving conditions. The method includes communicating, via a communication subsystem of an electronic system and via a communication network, with a first electronic device participating in a communication session with at least one second electronic device, the communication session hosted by the electronic system. In response to determining that the first electronic device is being used by a driver in a vehicle, the method includes: receiving data about the first electronic device that indicates whether current driving conditions allow the driver to communicate without degrading driving performance; and restricting transmission of new communication inputs from the communication session to the first electronic device to reduce distractions to the driver when the received data indicates the driver is potentially in a challenging driving condition.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to the following co-pending U.S.patent application Ser. No. _______ (Docket No. MM920220007-US-NP)entitled “Driving Condition Detection And Indication To A Remote DeviceDuring A Communication Session” and Ser. No. ______ (Docket No.MM920220008-US-NP2) entitled “Reducing Distractions Caused By Setting UpA Communication Session With A Remote Device That Is Being Used DuringDriving”, both filed concurrently herewith, with relevant content ofeach related application being incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to a mobile communicationsystem and more particularly to video communication systems used in avehicle.

2. Description of the Related Art

Electronic devices such as mobile phones, network servers, desktopworkstations, laptops, and tablets are often used to participate in orto enable online human communication, such as a video communicationsession. So as to simulate an in-person conversation, meeting, orlecture, each participant in a video communication session generallypositions themself within the field of view of the local camera andwithin detection range of the microphone. The respective image streamand audio stream captured by a first electronic device are communicatedto the video communication session for presentation by one or moresecond electronic devices. Recent trends are for increased use of videocommunications in a wide range of settings including homes and publicspaces. Additionally, some participants use their electronics devices toparticipate in a video communication session from within a vehicle andwhile driving.

When a driver is driving a vehicle with a passenger, in-personconversations are typically conducted in a holistic manner byunderstanding and reacting to the environment the vehicle is in. Forexample, if the vehicle in front slams on the brakes, the passengerwould not continue speaking to avoid disturbing the driver who needs tobe attentive to driving the vehicle. Similarly, the passenger would beaware when a challenging driving condition exists due to roadconditions, impaired visibility, and proximity to pedestrians. Bycontrast, when the driver is participating in audio or videocommunication session via an electronic device, the other participantsin the communication session would have no knowledge of the challengingdriving conditions and may unknowingly distract the driver.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description of the illustrative embodiments can be read inconjunction with the accompanying figures. It will be appreciated thatfor simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements illustrated in thefigures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, thedimensions of some of the elements are exaggerated relative to otherelements. Embodiments incorporating teachings of the present disclosureare shown and described with respect to the figures presented herein, inwhich:

FIG. 1 depicts a functional block diagram of a communication environmenthaving a mobile electronic system used by a driver to communicate, viaradio access networks (RANs), with a stationary electronic system thatfacilitates a video communication session with a remote participant,according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 2 depicts an example electronic device that is configured as acommunication device to communicate with RANs and other wireless devicesand to limit distractions to a driver during setup of or an ongoingcommunication session with remote participant(s) in response toidentifying challenging driving conditions, according to one or moreembodiments;

FIG. 3 depicts an example network electronic device that is configuredto facilitate communication between electronic devices and to providedriver distraction notification and implement communication reductionfunctions, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 4 depicts an example layout diagram of the communicationenvironment with the mobile electronic system positioned in a vehiclethat is in a challenging driving condition, which is being mitigated bydriver distraction notification and communication reduction features,according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 5A depicts a first image of a driver looking at a camera, accordingto one or more embodiments;

FIG. 5B depicts a second image of the driver looking away from thecamera and towards a roadway on which the vehicle is traveling,according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 5C is a third image depicting example normal driving conditionsforward of the vehicle, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 5D is a fourth image depicting example challenging drivingconditions forward of the vehicle, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 5E is a fifth image depicting the driver having a facial expressionand posture that is relaxed and unstressed, according to one or moreembodiments;

FIG. 5F is a sixth image depicting the driver having a facial expressionand posture that is tense and stressed, according to one or moreembodiments;

FIG. 6 depicts an example user interface for a communication sessionincluding mitigating features for driver distraction notification andcommunication reduction, according to one or more embodiments;

FIGS. 7A-7B (collectively “FIG. 7 ”) present a flow diagram of a methodof reducing, by a mobile electronic system, distractions to a driver ofa vehicle experiencing challenging driving conditions during acommunication session, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 8 presents a flow diagram of a method of reducing driverdistractions during setup of a communication session with a remotemobile electronic system used by a driver operating a vehicle inchallenging driving conditions, according to one or more embodiments;and

FIG. 9 presents a flow diagram of a method of reducing driverdistractions during an ongoing communication session with a remotemobile electronic system used by a driver operating a vehicle inchallenging driving conditions, according to one or more embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to aspects of the present disclosure, an electronic system, amethod, and a computer program product support wireless communicationwith reduced distraction for a driver experiencing challenging drivingconditions. The electronic system includes a communication subsystemconnectable to a communication network. A controller of the electronicsystem is communicatively connected to the communication subsystem. Thecontroller communicates, via the communication subsystem and thecommunication network, with a first electronic device participating in acommunication session with at least one second electronic device, thecommunication session hosted by the electronic system. In response todetermining that the first electronic device is being used by a driverin a vehicle, the controller receives data from the first electronicdevice that indicates whether current driving conditions allow thedriver to communicate without degrading driving performance. Thecontroller restricts transmission of new communication inputs from thecommunication session to the first electronic device to reducedistractions to the driver when the received data indicates that thedriver is potentially in a challenging driving condition.

In one or more embodiments, the electronic system manages drivingdistraction of a first remote user during an active communicationsession. The electronic system determines that a second user is on anactive audio or video communication session with the remote user. Theelectronic system receives and parses additional information regardingthe remote user's distraction status as indicative of “remote useroccupied” and “safe to communicate”. When distractions are detected, theelectronic system informs the second user on the communication session,using visual and/or audio cues, that the remote user is driving underchallenging situations, in order to prompt behavior alterations by thesecond user, such as to stop speaking and thus allow the remote user toconcentrate on the road. The electronic system may provide an option toeither pause the call or end the current call and initiate an automaticcallback when the distraction situation improves and the remote user isready to communicate once again.

In the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of thedisclosure, specific exemplary embodiments in which the various aspectsof the disclosure may be practiced are described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is tobe understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical,architectural, programmatic, mechanical, electrical, and other changesmay be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the presentdisclosure. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to betaken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present disclosure isdefined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. Within thedescriptions of the different views of the figures, similar elements areprovided similar names and reference numerals as those of the previousfigure(s). The specific numerals assigned to the elements are providedsolely to aid in the description and are not meant to imply anylimitations (structural or functional or otherwise) on the describedembodiment. It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity ofillustration, elements illustrated in the figures have not necessarilybeen drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elementsare exaggerated relative to other elements.

It is understood that the use of specific component, device and/orparameter names, such as those of the executing utility, logic, and/orfirmware described herein, are for example only and not meant to implyany limitations on the described embodiments. The embodiments may thusbe described with different nomenclature and/or terminology utilized todescribe the components, devices, parameters, methods and/or functionsherein, without limitation. References to any specific protocol orproprietary name in describing one or more elements, features orconcepts of the embodiments are provided solely as examples of oneimplementation, and such references do not limit the extension of theclaimed embodiments to embodiments in which different element, feature,protocol, or concept names are utilized. Thus, each term utilized hereinis to be given its broadest interpretation given the context in whichthat term is utilized.

As further described below, implementation of the functional features ofthe disclosure described herein is provided within processing devicesand/or structures and can involve use of a combination of hardware,firmware, as well as several software-level constructs (e.g., programcode and/or program instructions and/or pseudo-code) that execute toprovide a specific utility for the device or a specific functionallogic. The presented figures illustrate both hardware components andsoftware and/or logic components.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hardwarecomponents and basic configurations depicted in the figures may vary.The illustrative components are not intended to be exhaustive, butrather are representative to highlight essential components that areutilized to implement aspects of the described embodiments. For example,other devices/components may be used in addition to or in place of thehardware and/or firmware depicted. The depicted example is not meant toimply architectural or other limitations with respect to the presentlydescribed embodiments and/or the general invention. The description ofthe illustrative embodiments can be read in conjunction with theaccompanying figures. Embodiments incorporating teachings of the presentdisclosure are shown and described with respect to the figures presentedherein.

FIG. 1 depicts a functional block diagram of communication environment100 including a mobile electronic system 101 used by first participant(“driver”) 102 in vehicle 103 to communicate, via radio access networks(RANs) 104 a-104 z, with stationary electronic system 105. Stationaryelectronic system 105 includes one or more network electronic devices107 (e.g., network servers) that provide network communication hostingservices includes second electronic devices 109 a-109 m used bycorresponding second participants 106 a-106 m. Communication environment100 provides an operating environment within which the features of thepresent disclosure are advantageously implemented. In particular, thesefeatures include reducing distractions to driver 102 during challengingdriving conditions that may exist during setup of or ongoingcommunication session. In one or more embodiments, mobile electronicsystem 101 consists essentially of first electronic device 108, which iscapable of communicating with RANs 104 a-104 z. Each participant (firstparticipant or driver 102, and second participants 106 a-106 m) mayparticipate in the communication session via a corresponding electronicdevice (first electronic device 108 and second electronic devices 109a-109 m).

First electronic device 108 can be one of a host of different types ofdevices, including but not limited to, an infant monitoring system, amobile cellular phone, satellite phone, or smart-phone, a laptop, anet-book, an ultra-book, a networked smart watch, networkedsports/exercise watch, and/or a tablet computing device or similardevice. As more completely presented as communication device 208 of FIG.2 , which is described hereafter, electronic device 108 can also be adevice supporting wireless communication. In these implementations,electronic device 108 can be utilized as, and also be referred to as, asystem, device, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station(MS), mobile, mobile device, remote station, remote terminal, userterminal, terminal, user agent, user device, a Session InitiationProtocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personaldigital assistant (PDA), computer workstation, a handheld device havingwireless connection capability, a computing device, or other processingdevices connected to a wireless modem. Most importantly, it isappreciated that the features described herein can be implemented with adisplay device of various other types of electronic devices that are notnecessarily a communication device. The specific presentation ordescription herein of a mobile communication device in addition to adata processing system as different examples of electronic device 108are for example only, and not intended to be limiting on the disclosure.

Referring now to the specific component makeup and the associatedfunctionality of the presented components, in one or more embodiments,mobile electronic system 101 is augmented by additional devices such asa (“dashcam”) dash image capturing device (ICD) 110, vehicle accesspoint (AP) 112, and external memory such as network memory 114. In anexample, first electronic device 108 is configured with the ability tocommunicatively connect via communication subsystem 116 to the vehicleAP 112 via one or more network interfaces 117, such as low power localwireless communication module 118 and local wired communication module119.

In one or more embodiments, mobile electronic system 101 includes one ormore sensors 120 that can detect challenging driving conditions createdby adverse weather 122 (e.g., wind and precipitation), poor roadconditions 124 (e.g., incline, slick, rough, etc.), crowded trafficconditions 126, and pedestrian traffic conditions 128. In oneembodiment, the one or more sensors 120 include dash ICD 110 that hasforward field of view (FOV) 121. In another embodiment, the one or moresensors 120 include back ICD 130 of first electronic device 108 that hasforward FOV 131. In yet another embodiment, the one or more sensors 120are in-vehicle sensors that a communicatively connected to the vehiclecomputer, which communicates the sensor detected data to controller 140of mobile electronic system 101 via a wireless or USB connection (e.g.,vehicle access point (AP) 112). Dash ICD 110 and back ICD 130 mayprovide two-dimensional or three-dimensional image data in the visual orinfrared spectrums. Dash ICD 110 and back ICD 130 may include rangefinding, such as provided by stereo cameras, a radar or lidar sensor. Inone or more embodiments, mobile electronic system 101 includes at leastone ICD positioned to capture a face and posture of driver 102. In anexample, dash ICD 110 may include dual cameras, with a rear camerafacing the rear of the dash cam device towards the driver. In anotherexample, first electronic device 108 includes front ICD 132 having FOV134 that is positioned toward driver 102.

Back ICD 130 and front ICD 132 are part of input/output subsystem 136 offirst electronic system 101. In addition to communication subsystem 116and input/output subsystem 136, first electronic device 108 includesmemory subsystem 138 and data storage subsystem 139 that are managed bycontroller 140. Controller 140 may be communicatively connected tocommunication subsystem 116 and input/output subsystem 136, memorysubsystem 138 and data storage subsystem 139 via system interlink 141.In an example, memory subsystem 138 includes network memory 114 that isexternal to first electronic device 108 and includes device memory 142that is internal to first electronic device 108. In one or moreembodiments, input/output subsystem provides user interface devices 144including one or more output devices 146 and one or more input devices148. User interface device 144 may enable user interaction with firstelectronic device 108 using inputs and outputs that are one or more ofvisual, haptic, touch, sound, gesture, etc.

Device memory 142 includes program code for applications, such ascommunication application 150 that includes driver distractionnotification and communication reduction (DNCR) module 152 and otherapplications 154. In one or more embodiments, DNCR module 152 is a suiteof applications, utilities, components, or modules that configure firstelectronic device 108 to monitor and/or detect and/or determinechallenging driving conditions and provide mitigations for reducingdistractions to driver 102. Device memory 142 further includes operatingsystem (OS) 156, firmware interface 158, such as basic input/outputsystem (BIOS) or Uniform Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI), andfirmware 160. Device memory 142 stores computer data 162 that is used byDNCR module 152. Computer data 162 includes visual object library 164that stores object images 166 and facial expressions 168 for recognizingchallenging driving conditions. Computer data 162 may also includechallenging driving conditions data 170 that is provided to stationaryelectronic system 105.

In one or more embodiments, the communication session may be one-on-onebetween driver 102 using electronic device 108 of mobile electronicsystem 101 and one second participant 106 a using (“second”) electronicdevice 109 a. The RANs 104 a-104 z connect the (“first”) mobileelectronic system 101 to the (“second”) stationary system 105 viaexternal network 145. Electronic system 101 and stationary system 105may access other systems such as navigation service 176 and weatherservice 178 via external networks 145. The communication session may bemultiparty between driver 102 using electronic device 108 and more thanone second participant 106 a-106 m, each using a corresponding(“second”) electronic device 109 a-109 m. In one or more embodiments,the communication session may be assisted by network electronicdevice(s) 146 of communication network 147. Each second electronicdevice 109 a-109 m may include the same or similar components describedfor first electronic device 108 or communication device 208 (FIG. 2 ).Each electronic device 108 and 109 a-109 m may originate audio and/orvideo that is provided to the communication session. Each electronicdevice 108 and 109 a — 109 m may receive audio and/or video from thecommunication session that originates at one or more other electronicdevices 108 and 109 a-109 m.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of communication environment 200 inwhich communication device 208, operating as a host device for acommunication session, communicates with an in-vehicle communicationsystem 209 that is integrated within and moves with vehicle 103 and withexternal communication system 211 that is external to vehicle 103.Communication device 208 is an implementation of first electronic device108 (FIG. 1 ). Communication device 208 includes communication subsystem116, input/output subsystem 136, data storage subsystem 139, controller140, and device memory 142 as previously described but having additionalfunctionality.

Controller 140 includes processor subsystem 220, which executes programcode to provide operating functionality of communication device 208.Controller 140 manages, and in some instances directly controls, thevarious functions and/or operations of communication device 208. Thesefunctions and/or operations include, but are not limited to including,application data processing, communication with second communicationdevices, navigation tasks, image processing, and signal processing. Inone or more alternate embodiments, communication device 208 may usehardware component equivalents for application data processing andsignal processing. For example, communication device 208 may use specialpurpose hardware, dedicated processors, general purpose computers,microprocessor-based computers, micro-controllers, optical computers,analog computers, dedicated processors and/or dedicated hard-wiredlogic.

The software and/or firmware modules executed by processor subsystem 220have varying functionality when their corresponding program code isexecuted by data processor(s) 222 or secondary processing devices withincommunication device 208 such as digital signal processor 224. Processorsubsystem 220 can include other processors that are communicativelycoupled internally or externally to data processor 222. Data processor222 is communicatively coupled, via system interlink 141, to datastorage subsystem 139 and device memory 142. System interlink 141represents internal components that facilitate internal communication byway of one or more shared or dedicated internal communication links,such as internal serial or parallel buses. As utilized herein, the term“communicatively coupled” means that information signals aretransmissible through various interconnections, including wired and/orwireless links, between the components. The interconnections between thecomponents can be direct interconnections that include conductivetransmission media or may be indirect interconnections that include oneor more intermediate electrical components. Although certain directinterconnections (system interlink 141) are illustrated in FIG. 1 , itis to be understood that more, fewer, or different interconnections maybe present in other embodiments.

Processor subsystem 220 of controller 140 can execute program code ofDNCR module 152 to configure communication device 208 to performspecific functions for recognizing challenging driving conditions. In anexample, DNCR module 152 can include or utilize camera controlapplication 230, object recognition application 232, look gaze detectapplication 234, facial expression/posture recognition application 235,navigation application 236, and setup delay timer 237. Processorsubsystem 220 receives data from certain components of input/outputsubsystem 136 and presents data on certain components of input/outputsubsystem 136. In an example, input/output subsystem 136 includes backICDs 130, front ICDs 132, touch display 240, microphone 242, and audiooutput device(s) 244.

Data storage subsystem 139 of communication device 208 includes datastorage device(s) 160. Controller 140 is communicatively connected, viasystem interlink 141, to data storage device(s) 160. Data storagesubsystem 139 provides applications, program code, and stored data onnonvolatile storage that is accessible by controller 140. For example,data storage subsystem 139 can provide a selection of applications andcomputer data, such as communication application 150 that includes DNCRmodule 152 and other application(s) 154. These applications can beloaded into device memory 142 for execution by controller 140. In one ormore embodiments, data storage device(s) 250 can include hard diskdrives (HDDs), optical disk drives, and/or solid-state drives (SSDs),etc. Data storage subsystem 139 of communication device 208 can includeremovable storage device(s) (RSD(s)) 252, which is received in RSDinterface 254. Controller 140 is communicatively connected to RSD 252,via system interlink 141 and RSD interface 254. In one or moreembodiments, RSD 164 is a non-transitory computer program product orcomputer readable storage device. Controller 140 can access RSD 164 ordata storage device(s) 160 to provision communication device 208 withprogram code, such as code for communication application 150 and otherapplication(s) 154, and with computer data 162 such as visual objectlibrary 164 (FIG. 1 ).

Communication device 208 further includes communication subsystem 116for communicating, using a cellular connection, with network node(s) 260of external communication system 211 and for communicating, using awireless connection, with vehicle access point 112 of localcommunication system 209. Communication subsystem 116 includes antennasubsystem 262. Communication subsystem 116 includes radio frequency (RF)front end 263 and communication module 264. RF front end 263 includestransceiver(s) 266, which includes transmitter(s) 268 and receiver(s)270. RF front end 263 further includes modem(s) 272. Communicationmodule 264 of communication subsystem 116 includes baseband processor274 that communicates with controller 140 and RF front end 263. Basebandprocessor 274 operates in a baseband frequency range to encode data fortransmission and decode received data, according to a communicationprotocol. Modem(s) 272 modulate baseband encoded data from communicationmodule 264 onto a carrier signal to provide a transmit signal that isamplified by transmitter(s) 268. Modem(s) 272 demodulates each signalreceived from external communication system 211 using by antennasubsystem 262. The received signal is amplified and filtered byreceiver(s) 270, which demodulate received encoded data from a receivedcarrier signal.

In one or more embodiments, controller 140, via communication subsystem116, performs multiple types of cellular OTA or wireless communicationwith local communication system 209. Communication subsystem 116 cancommunicate via an over-the-air (OTA) connection 276 with local wirelessdevices 278. In an example, OTA connection 276 is a peer-to-peerconnection, Bluetooth connection, or other personal access network (PAN)connection. In one or more embodiments, communication subsystem 116communicates with one or more locally networked devices via a wirelesslocal area network (WLAN) link 279 supported by vehicle access point112. In one or more embodiments, vehicle access point 112 supportscommunication using one or more IEEE 802.11 WLAN protocols. Vehicleaccess point 112 is connected to external networks 145 via a cellularconnection. In one or more embodiments, communication subsystem 116communicates with GPS satellites 280 via downlink channel 282 to obtaingeospatial location information. Communication subsystem 116 cancommunicate via an over-the-air (OTA) cellular connection 284 withnetwork node(s) 260.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, mobile electronic system101 includes at least one image capturing device 132 positionable tohave a field of view encompassing at least a face of driver 102 ofvehicle 103. At least one sensor 120 (FIG. 1 ) of mobile electronicsystem 101 detects external conditions to vehicle 103 that can requiredriver 102 to be more attentive while vehicle 103 is in motion. Mobileelectronic system 101 includes communication subsystem 116 that isconnectable to a communication network 147 (FIG. 1 ). At least oneoutput device 146 (FIG. 1 ) of mobile electronic system 101 provides acommunication output from a network-connected communication session withat least one second electronic device 109 a-109 m (FIG. 1 ).

Memory subsystem 138 (FIG. 1 ) of mobile electronic system 101 storescommunication application 150 including DNCR module 152. Controller 140of mobile electronic system 101 is communicatively connected tocommunication subsystem 116, at least one sensor 120, at least one imagecapturing device 132, memory subsystem 138, and at least one outputdevice 146. Controller 140 executes communication application 150 toconnect, via communication subsystem 116 and communication network 147,with at least one second electronic device 109 a-109 m (FIG. 1 ) duringthe communication session. Controller 140 receives an indication of achallenging driving condition from at least one of a first image streamfrom at least one image capturing device 132 and a detected conditionfrom at least one sensor 120. In response to receiving the indication ofthe challenging driving condition, controller 140 communicates, viacommunication subsystem 116 and communication network 147, anotification over the communication session to at least one secondelectronic device 109 a-109 m (FIG. 1 ), the notification indicatingthat driver 102 is in the challenging driving condition.

In one or more embodiments, controller 140 receives the first imagestream from first image capturing device 132. Controller 140 analyzesone or more of an expression of the face of driver 102 and a posture ofdriver 102 contained in the first image stream. Controller 140determines that the challenging driving condition exists in response todetermining that a corresponding one or more of a stressed expressionand a stressed or tense posture is identified.

In one or more embodiments, prior to determining the challenging drivingcondition, controller 140 communicates the first image stream to thecommunication session. Then controller 140 replaces at least a portionof the first image stream with the notification in response todetermining the challenging driving conditions exist.

In one or more embodiments, controller 140 determines that thechallenging driving condition exists by identifying one or more ofhazardous road conditions, proximity of at least one pedestrian, andproximity of another vehicle, at least in part based on the sensedcondition from the at least one sensor. In one or more particularembodiments, controller 140 identifies a look gaze direction of eyes ofthe face of the driver. Controller 140 presents a local notification toat least one output device 146 in response to determining that the lookgaze direction indicates that driver 102 is not looking out at a roadwayand surrounding driving conditions and that the challenging drivingcondition exists. The local notification prompts driver 102 to payattention to the challenging driving conditions.

In one or more embodiments, at least one sensor 120 includes a secondimage capturing device (110, 130) that captures a second image stream ofconditions external to vehicle 103. Controller 140 receives the secondimage stream from the second image capturing device (110, 130).Controller 140 identifies the external conditions contained in thesecond image stream as representative of at least one challengingdriving condition. Controller 140 communicates the notification inresponse to the second image stream including images representative ofat least one challenging driving condition, to visually indicate to auser (106) of second electronic device 109 a-109 m that driver 102 is inthe challenging driving condition.

In one or more embodiments, controller 140 determines that thechallenging driving conditions exist based on: (i) receiving informationfrom one or more of navigation service 176 and weather service 178 (FIG.1 ) that vehicle 103 is driving in an area subject to a correspondingone of hazardous traffic conditions and hazardous road conditions; and(ii) analyzing the first image stream to verify the one of hazardoustraffic conditions or hazardous road conditions.

In one or more embodiments, mobile electronic system 101 includesmicrophone 242 communicatively coupled to controller 140 and positionedto detect sounds spoken by driver 102. Controller 140 compares currentspeech detected by microphone 242 to baseline speech characterized asunstressed. Controller 140 identifies that driver 102 is experiencingchallenging driving conditions at least in part based on a change, bymore than a baseline threshold amount, in a sound characterization ofthe current speech, which indicates stressed speech.

In one or more embodiments, mobile electronic system 101 is, or consistsessentially of, a mobile user device such as communication device 208.At least one output device 146 (FIG. 1 ) includes a display device suchas touch display 240. At least one sensor 120 (FIG. 1 ) is one of (a)embedded within a housing of the mobile user device and (b)communicatively connected to a local communication interface of themobile user device.

In one or more embodiments, while disconnected from a communicationsession, controller 140 receives an indication of a challenging drivingcondition from at least one of the first image stream from at least oneimage capturing device 132 and a detected condition from the at leastone sensor (110, 130). Controller 140 stores a status of the drivingconditions for the vehicle corresponding to mobile electronic system 101as a challenging driving condition in memory subsystem 138. In one ormore embodiments, memory subsystem is accessible to communicationapplication 150 at one or more of device memory 142 at mobile electronicsystem 101 and network memory 114 (FIG. 1 ) at communication network145. In response to detecting a request to initiate a new communicationsession, controller 140 transmits the status to requesting secondelectronic device(s) 109 a-109 m without connecting to the newcommunication session. In one embodiment, the status can be tracked viaa driving condition entry stored in a particular memorylocation/address, the entry being one or more bits settable by thecontroller to at least two different values, a first default value(e.g., 0/00) indicating that no challenging condition currently existand a second value (e.g., 1/01) indicating when a challenging drivingcondition is detected. It is appreciated that other embodiments mayprovide for different levels of challenging driving conditions beinguniquely identified using a larger number of bits enabling additionaldistinct values (e.g., 00, 01, 10, 11, with 2 bits). Controllerperiodically detects/identifies the current driving conditions andupdates the value of the bit accordingly.

FIG. 3 depicts communication environment 300 of stationary electronicsystem 105 that includes network electronic device 107 such as a networkserver that is configured to facilitate communication between firstelectronic device 108 used by driver 102 and second electronic device109 used by second participant 106 and to perform driver distractionnotification and resulting communication reduction functions. Networkelectronic device 107 includes memory subsystem 138, communicationsubsystem 116, which includes one or more network interfaces 117connected to external networks 145 via fiber 305, and data storagesubsystem 116 managed by controller 140 via system interlink 141.Network electronic device 107 may have identical or similar componentsand functionality as described above for electronic device 108 of FIG. 1and communication device 208 of FIG. 2 . Controller 140 executesapplications stored in memory subsystem 138 to support communication. Inan example, enterprise communication management application 320 can hostan audio and/or video communication session as well as communicate dataassociated with the session between user devices. Enterprisecommunication management application 320 creates and managescommunication subscriber database 322 that is also stored in memorysubsystem 138. Controller 140 also executes applications stored inmemory subsystem 138 to support aspects of the present disclosure.Enterprise driver distraction notification and communication reduction(EDNCR) application 330 detects and responds to instances of challengingdriving conditions for one or more participants in a communicationsession. EDNCR application 330 creates and maintains driving statusreports 332 from a plurality of electronic devices to promptnotifications and reductions in communication content pushed toparticular user devices described below for FIG. 6 .

According to aspects of the present disclosure, stationary electronicsystem 105 includes communication subsystem 116 connectable tocommunication network 145 (FIG. 1 ) and controller 140 communicativelyconnected to communication subsystem 116. With stationary electronicsystem 105 operating as a host for communication sessions, controller140 initiates setup of a communication session, via communicationsubsystem 116 and communication network 145 (FIG. 1 ), with at least onefirst electronic device 108 and one second electronic device 109. Inresponse to determining that first electronic device 108 is being usedby driver 102 in vehicle 103 that is potentially in a challengingdriving condition, controller 140 pauses or halts setup of thecommunication session to reduce distractions to driver 102 while thevehicle is in the challenging driving condition. Controller 140 requestsdata about/from first electronic device 108 that indicates whethercurrent driving conditions allow driver 102 to communicate withoutdegrading driving performance. Controller 140 completes setup of thecommunication session in response to verifying that driver 102 is ableto communicate while safely operating the vehicle under the currentdriving conditions.

In one or more embodiments, in response to initiating the setup of thecommunication session, controller 140 receives, from communicationnetwork 145 (FIG. 1 ), information indicating that first electronicdevice 108 is being used by user or driver 102 who is driving based onone or more of: (i) a rate of movement of first electronic device 108;(ii) geographic location of first electronic device 108 indicatingmovement aligned with a roadway; and (iii) a report from navigationapplication 236 (FIG. 2 ) being executed by first electronic device 108(FIG. 1 ).

In one or more embodiments, to verify that driver 102 is able tocommunicate while safely operating vehicle 103 under the current drivingconditions, controller 140 identifies a geographic location of firstelectronic device 108 and queries one or more of navigation service 176and weather service 178 (FIG. 1 ) for information of a corresponding oneof hazardous traffic conditions and hazardous road conditions at thelocation.

In one or more embodiments, to verify that driver 102 is able tocommunicate while safely operating vehicle 103 under the current drivingconditions, controller 140 transmits a request, to first electronicdevice 108, for a user input that indicates whether driver 102 is ableto communicate while safely operating vehicle 103 under the currentdriving conditions. Controller 140 completes setup of the communicationsession in response to receiving, from driver 102 via first electronicdevice 108, an affirmative response to the request for the user input.

In one or more embodiments, to verify that driver 102 is able tocommunicate while safely operating vehicle 103 under the current drivingconditions, controller 140 transmits a request, to first electronicdevice 108, for a user input that indicates whether driver 102 is ableto communicate while safely operating vehicle 103 under the currentdriving conditions. Controller 140 discontinues setup of thecommunication session and activates a timer with a time period for adelayed setup of a communication session in response to receiving, fromthe driver via the first electronic device, a negative response to therequest for the user input.

In one or more embodiments, to verify that driver 102 is able tocommunicate while safely operating vehicle 103 under the current drivingconditions, controller 140 transmits a request, to the driver via thefirst electronic device, for a user input that indicates whether thedriver is able to communicate while safely operating the vehicle underthe current driving conditions. Controller 140 completes setup of thecommunication session and pauses communication of content to the firstelectronic device in response to receiving a negative user input fromthe driver using the first electronic device. In one or more particularembodiments, controller 140 initiates communicating content to the firstelectronic device in response to subsequently receiving an affirmativeuser input from the driver using the first electronic device.

In one or more embodiments, stationary electronic system 105 includes atleast one output device 146 (FIG. 1 ) at the at least one secondelectronic device 109 that is communicatively coupled to controller 140.The at least one output device 146 (FIG. 1 ) presents one or more of anaudio output and a visual output. Controller 140 presents a notificationover at least one output device 146 (FIG. 1 ) indicating that firstelectronic device 108 is being used by driver 102 in vehicle 103.

In one or more embodiments, to verify that driver 102 is able tocommunicate while safely operating vehicle 103 under the current drivingconditions, controller 140 transmits a request, to a navigationapplication that is either executed by first electronic device 108 orcommunicating with first electronic device 108, for data that indicateswhether driver 102 is able to communicate while safely operating vehicle103 under the current driving conditions. Controller 140 completes setupof the communication session in response to receiving, from navigationapplication 236 (FIG. 2 ), an affirmative response to the request forthe user input. Controller 140 discontinues setup of the communicationsession and activates timer 237 (FIG. 2 ) with a time period for adelayed setup of a communication session in response to receiving, fromnavigation application 236 (FIG. 2 ), a negative response to the requestfor the user input.

According to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, stationaryelectronic system 105 includes communication subsystem 116 connectableto communication network 147 (FIG. 1 ) and controller 140communicatively connected to communication subsystem 116. Withstationary electronic system 105 operating as a host for communicationsessions, controller 140 communicates, via communication subsystem 116and communication network 147 (FIG. 1 ), with at least one firstelectronic device 108 participating in a communication session with atleast one second electronic device 109. In response to determining thatfirst electronic device 108 is being used by driver 102 in vehicle 103that is potentially in a challenging driving condition, controller 140receives data from/about either directly or indirectly from firstelectronic device 108 that indicates whether current driving conditionsallow driver 102 to communicate without degrading driving performance.When the received data indicates driver 102 is in the challengingdriving condition, controller 140 restricts transmission of newcommunication inputs from the communication session to first electronicdevice 108 to reduce distractions to driver 102.

In one or more embodiments, controller 140 receives, from firstelectronic device 108, a first image stream that captures at least oneof a face of driver 102 or a forward view of surrounding conditions ofvehicle 103. Controller 140 analyzes the first image stream to determinewhether first electronic device 108 is being used by a driver in avehicle that is moving and whether driver 102 is potentially in achallenging driving condition. Controller 140 restricts thecommunication session to reduce distractions to driver 102 in responseto determining that first electronic device 108 is being used by driver102 in moving vehicle 103 and that driver 102 is potentially in thechallenging driving condition.

In one or more embodiments, controller 140 receives, from firstelectronic device 108, a first image stream that captures at least aface of driver 102. Controller 140 analyzes the first image stream forone or more of a stressed expression or tense posture of driver 102.Controller 140 determines whether the current driving condition allowdriver 102 to communicate without degrading driving performance based onwhether the stressed expression or tense posture is identified.Controller 140 restores full functionality of the communication sessionin response to verifying that driver 102 is able to communicate withoutrestrictions under the current driving conditions.

In one or more embodiments, to determine whether driver 102 is able tocommunicate in the current driving condition without degrading drivingperformance, controller 140 receives information identifying ageographic location and direction of movement of first electronic device108. Controller 140 queries one or more of navigation service 176 andweather service 178 for information of a corresponding one of hazardoustraffic conditions and hazardous road conditions at the location.

In one or more embodiments, to determine whether the current drivingcondition allows driver 102 to communicate without degrading drivingperformance, controller 140 transmits a request, to first electronicdevice 108, for a user input/response that indicates whether currentdriving conditions allow driver 102 to communicate without degradingdriving performance. Controller 140 pauses the communication session inresponse to receiving, from driver 102 via first electronic device 108,a negative user response to the request for the user input. Controller140 restores the communication session in response to receiving, fromdriver 102 via first electronic device 108, an affirmative user responseto the request for the user input.

In one or more embodiments, to determine whether the current drivingconditions allow driver 102 to communicate without degrading drivingperformance, controller 140 transmits a request, to first electronicdevice 108, for a user input that indicates whether current drivingconditions allow driver 102 to communicate without degrading drivingperformance. Controller 140 disconnects first electronic device 108 fromthe communication session in response to receiving, from driver 102 viafirst electronic device 108, a negative user response to the request forthe user input. Controller 140 activates timer 237 with a time periodfor rechecking the driving conditions prior to reconnecting firstelectronic device 108 to the communication session.

In one or more embodiments, stationary electronic system 105 includes atleast one output device 146 (FIG. 1 ) that presents one or more of anaudio output and a visual output and that is communicatively coupled tocontroller 140. Controller 140 presents a prompt at the at least oneoutput device 146 (FIG. 1 ) indicating that first electronic device 108is being used by driver 102 in vehicle 103. In one or more particularembodiments, controller 140 communicates the prompt, via communicationsubsystem 116 and communication network 147 (FIG. 1 ), to at least onesecond electronic device 109 m of the at least one second electronicdevices 109.

In one or more embodiments, controller 140 receives an audio stream fromfirst electronic device 108. Controller 140 compares current speechdetected in the audio stream to baseline speech characterized asunstressed speech. Controller 140 restricts the communication session toreduce distractions to driver 102 at least in part based on a change ina sound characterization of the current speech by more than a baselinethreshold amount indicating stressed speech, while driver 102 ispotentially in a challenging driving condition.

FIG. 4 depicts an example layout diagram of communication environment400 with mobile electronic system 101 positioned in vehicle 103 that isin a challenging driving condition, which is mitigated by driverdistraction notification and communication reduction features, accordingto one or more embodiments. Mobile electronic system 101 consistsessentially of first electronic device 108 that is positioned by fixture401 on dash 403 of vehicle 103. Fixture 401 positions FOV 131 of backICD 130 to view driving conditions 405 and positions FOV 134 of frontICD 132 to view face 407 and posture 409 of driver 102. First electronicdevice 108 is positioned on dashboard of vehicle 103 to provide easyviewing by driver 102 without blocking the view forward. Look gazedirection 411 of eyes 413 of driver 102 are looking straight ahead andnot at first electronic device 108. First electronic device 108 iscommunicating with stationary electronic system 105 of networkelectronic devices 107 and second electronic devices 109 via networknodes 260 and communication network 147.

First electronic device 108 of mobile electronic system 101 may detecturgent challenging driving conditions of short duration, such asappearance of pedestrian 415 in the path of vehicle 103. In response,first electronic device 108 may immediately trigger cessation ofpresenting content from the communication session. In one or moreembodiments, the first electronic device 108 may determine that thepresence of the pedestrian 415 walking or crossing the road and/orpresence in school zones, high traffic areas, etc., is a challengingdriving condition in response to determining that the look gazedirection 411 of driver 102 is away from pedestrian 415. FIG. 5A isfirst image 501 a that depicts driver 102 looking at a camera (132, FIG.4 ). FIG. 5B is second image 501 b depicts driver 102 looking away fromthe camera (132, FIG. 4 ) and out towards a front of vehicle 103 (FIG. 4). With continued reference to FIG. 4 , first electronic device 108 ofmobile electronic system 101 may integrate information from multiplesources to determine challenging driving conditions of longer duration.In an example, first electronic device 108 may visually detectprecipitation 417 (e.g., rainfall, snowfall, sleet, haze). FIG. 5C isthird image 501 c that depicts example normal driving conditions infront of vehicle 103 (FIG. 4 ). FIG. 5D is fourth image 501 d thatdepicts example challenging driving conditions in front of vehicle 103(FIG. 4 ). With continued reference to FIG. 4 , the severity of theprecipitation 417 may be verified at least in part based on determiningsensed or reported temperatures at a location of vehicle 103. Othersensed or identified severity factors may include vehicle speed, type ofroad surface, inclines/declines or turns of the road, wind speed anddirection, and other factors. First electronic device 108 may becommunicatively connected to a vehicle management system (VMS) 419 viawired or wireless connection to vehicle AP 112 to receive data such asdetected tire slippage. First electronic device 108 may also detectdriving proficiency of driver 102 to adjust thresholds for a challengingdriving condition determination.

In one or more embodiments, first electronic device 108 detects visualand/or audible responses by driver 102 to the driving conditions todetermine whether the driver 102 is being challenged. FIG. 5E is fifthimage 501 e that depicts driver 102 having facial expression 503 a andposture 505 a that is relaxed and unstressed. Driver 102 is alsoproducing unstressed speech 507 a. FIG. 5F is sixth image 501 f thatdepicts driver 102 having facial expression 503 b and posture 505 b thatis tense and stressed. Driver 102 is also producing stressed speech 507b.

FIG. 6 depicts example user interface device 144 for a communicationsession between participant A (driver 102 a) using first device 601 a,second participant B (driver 102 b) using second device 601 b, and localparticipant C 106 c using third device 601 c. User interface device 144presents mitigating features for driver distraction notification toparticipant C 106 c to prompt communication reduction for drivers 102a-102 b. In an example, each participant has respective avatar or videostream window 602 a, 602 b, and 602 c. Both first and second drivers 102a-102 b are identified as being in a challenging driving condition. Tonotify local participant C 106 c, user interface device 144 may presenta dashcam view 603 a in window 602 a that is streamed from first device601 a, enabling local participant C 106 c to receive the visualexperience as a passenger in the vehicle with driver 102 a, thusexperiencing the severity of the challenging driving conditionsintuitively and in real-time. To notify local participant C 106 c, userinterface device 144 may present a notification image 603 b in window602 b to inform local participant C 106 c of the challenging drivingconditions. Due to communication limitations or privacy considerations,second device 601 b may not stream an image stream of a forward viewthat depicts the challenging driving conditions to the communicationsession. Alternatively, the forward view may not enable participant C106 c to readily discern the challenging driving condition from theforward view and thus the forward view may not be selected fornotification. Avatar, still image, or image stream 604 of localparticipant C 106 c is shared to the communication session and lacks anotification or indication of being in a challenging driving condition.In one or more embodiments, in addition to visually notifying otherparticipants that particular participants are encountering challengingdriving conditions, user interface device 144 may present auditorynotifications to participant C 106 c. In an example, user interfacedevice 144 may revert to auditory notifications if participant C 106 cis not receiving or viewing visual content of the communication session.In one or more embodiments, the user interface device 144 that local tothe drivers 102 a-102 b may present audio inputs from remoteparticipants, such as participant C 106 c, are automatically muted orattenuated in volume to reduce distractions.

Other information shared during the communication session may includenotifications of the status of drivers 102 a-102 b who are inchallenging driving conditions. In an example, chat box 610 can includemessages 611 from participants as well as automated notificationmessages 612. A visual alert box 613 may pop-up, visually presentingnotification 614 to non-driving participant C 106 c, which may beaccompanied by a verbal notification as appropriate for the type ofcommunication session. Screen share window 620 may be accompanied by anotification 622 of which participants are prevented from viewing thecontent due to being in a challenging driving condition.

FIGS. 7A-7B (collectively “FIG. 7 ”) present a flow diagram of a methodfor reducing driver distractions by a mobile electronic system to adriver of a vehicle experiencing challenging driving conditions whileengaged in a communication session. FIG. 8 presents a flow diagram of amethod of selectively setting up and connecting a communication sessionwith a remote mobile electronic system used by a driver to enablereduction in distractions based on challenging driving conditions. FIG.9 presents a flow diagram of a method of reducing driver distractionsduring a communication session with a remote mobile electronic systemused by a driver in challenging driving conditions. The descriptions ofmethod 700 (FIGS. 7A-7B), method 800 (FIG. 8 ), and method 900 (FIG. 9 )are provided with general reference to the specific componentsillustrated within the preceding FIGS. 1-4 and 5A-5F. Specificcomponents referenced in method 700 (FIGS. 7A-7B), method 800 (FIG. 8 ),and method 900 (FIG. 9 ) may be identical or similar to components ofthe same name used in describing preceding FIGS. 1-4 and 5A-5F. In oneor more embodiments, controller 140 (FIGS. 1-3 ) respectively of mobileelectronic system 101 (FIG. 1 ), communication device 208 (FIG. 2 ) andstationary electronic system 105 (FIG. 3 ) provides functionality ofmethod 700 (FIGS. 7A-7B), method 800 (FIG. 8 ) and method 900 (FIG. 9 ).

With reference to FIG. 7A, method 700 includes connecting, via acommunication subsystem of an electronic system, to a communicationsession with at least one second electronic device, the electronicsystem being in a vehicle operated by a driver (block 702). Method 700includes determining whether the communication session is locally orremotely terminated (decision block 704). In response to determiningthat the communication session is terminated, method 700 ends. Inresponse to determining that the communication session is notterminated, in one or more embodiments, method 700 includescommunicating an audio stream detected by a microphone of the electronicsystem to the communication session (block 706). In one or moreembodiments, method 700 includes communicating to the communicationsession a first image stream from at least one image capturing devicepositionable to have a field of view encompassing at least a face and/orposture of a driver of a vehicle (block 708). Method 700 includesmonitoring at least one sensor that detects external conditions (e.g.,hazardous road conditions, proximity of at least one pedestrian, andproximity of another vehicle) to a vehicle, where the externalconditions can require a driver of the vehicle to be more attentivewhile the vehicle is in motion (block 710). Method 700 includesmonitoring a first image stream from at least one image capturing devicefor a stressed facial expression and/or a stressed posture of the driverof the vehicle, which correlates to or is an indication of a challengingdriving condition (block 712). Then method 700 proceeds to block 714 ofFIG. 7B.

With reference to FIG. 7B, in one or more embodiments, method 700includes comparing current speech detected by a microphone, which ispositioned to detect sounds spoken by the driver, to baseline speechcharacterized as unstressed in order to identify an indication of thechallenging driving condition (block 714). In one or more embodiments,method 700 includes receiving information from one or more of anavigation service and a weather service that the vehicle is driving inan area subject to a corresponding one of hazardous traffic conditionsand hazardous road conditions that verify or corroborate inconclusivevisual indications (block 716). Method 700 include determining whetherthe indication of the challenging driving condition is received andidentified (decision block 718). In response to determining that nochallenging driving condition is received or identified, method 700returns to block 704 (FIG. 7A). In response to determining that thechallenging driving condition is received and identified, method 700 mayinclude communicating, via the communication subsystem and thecommunication network, a notification over the communication session tothe at least one second electronic device by: (i) replacing at least aportion of the first image stream with the notification in response todetermining the challenging driving conditions exists; or (ii) streaminga second image stream from a roadway facing/oriented image capturingdevice, utilized as one of the at least one sensor (block 720). Thenmethod 700 returns to block 710 (FIG. 7A).

In one or more embodiments, method 700 includes identifying a look gazedirection of eyes of the face of the driver. Method 700 includespresenting a local notification at the at least one output device inresponse to determining that the look gaze direction indicates that thedriver is not looking out at a roadway and surrounding drivingconditions and that the challenging driving condition exists. The localnotification prompts the driver to pay attention to the challengingdriving conditions.

In one or more embodiments, method 700 includes, while disconnected froma communication session, receiving an indication of a challengingdriving condition from at least one of the first image stream from theat least one image capturing device and a detected condition from the atleast one sensor. Method 700 includes storing, in memory accessible tothe communication application at one or more of the memory at theelectronic system and the communication network, a driving conditionstatus of the electronic system as being in a challenging drivingcondition. Method 700 includes transmitting the status to a requestingsecond electronic device without connecting a new communication session.

With reference to FIG. 8 , method 800 includes initiating setup of acommunication session by the electronic system as host, with a firstelectronic device and at least one second electronic device (block 802).Method 800 includes determining that the first electronic device isbeing used by a driver in a vehicle by receiving, from the communicationnetwork, information indicating that the first electronic device isbeing used by a user who is driving, based on one or more of: (i) a rateof movement of the first electronic device; (ii) geographic location ofthe first electronic device indicating movement aligned with a roadway;and (iii) a report from a navigation application being executed by thefirst electronic device (block 804). Method 800 includes pausing setupof the communication session to reduce possible distractions to thedriver when communicating while in potentially in a challenging drivingcondition (block 806). Method 800 includes requesting data about/fromthe first electronic device that indicates whether current drivingconditions allow the driver to communicate without degrading drivingperformance by one of: (i) identifying a geographic location of thefirst electronic device and querying one or more of a navigation serviceand weather service for information of a corresponding one of hazardoustraffic conditions and hazardous road conditions at the location; and(ii) transmitting a request, to the first electronic device, for a userinput or an automated response from a navigation application thatindicates whether the driver is able to communicate while safelyoperating the vehicle under the current driving conditions (block 808).Method 800 includes determining whether an indication is receivedindicating it is safe for the driver to communicate via a communicationsession (decision block 810). In response to determining that theindication of safe to communicate is received, method 800 includescompleting setup of the communication session (block 812). Then method800 ends. In response to determining that the indication of safe tocommunicate is not received, method 800 includes discontinuing setup ofthe communication session to reduce distractions to the driver by (block814). In one embodiment, method 800 also includes optionally activatinga timer with a time period for a delayed setup of a communicationsession. Then method 800 ends.

In one or more embodiments, determining that the first electronic deviceis being used by the driver in the vehicle includes: in response toinitiating the setup of the communication, receiving, from thecommunication network, information indicating that the first electronicdevice is being used by a user who is driving based on one or more of:(i) a rate of movement of the first electronic device; (ii) geographiclocation of the first electronic device indicating movement aligned witha roadway; and (iii) a report from a navigation application beingexecuted by the first electronic device.

In one or more embodiments, verifying that the driver is able tocommunicate while safely operating the vehicle under the current drivingconditions includes: (i) identifying a geographic location of the firstelectronic device; and (ii) querying one or more of a navigation serviceand weather service for information of a corresponding one of hazardoustraffic conditions and hazardous road conditions at the location.

In one or more embodiments, verifying that the driver is able tocommunicate while safely operating the vehicle under the current drivingconditions includes: (i) transmitting a request, to the first electronicdevice, for a user input that indicates whether the driver is able tocommunicate while safely operating the vehicle under the current drivingconditions; and (ii) receiving, from the driver via the first electronicdevice, an affirmative response to the request for the user input.Method 800 then includes completing setup of the communication sessionin response to receiving the affirmative user input from the driver.

In one or more embodiments, in verifying whether the driver is able tocommunicate while safely operating the vehicle under the current drivingconditions, the method includes: (i) transmitting a request, to thefirst electronic device, for a user input that indicates whether thedriver is able to communicate while safely operating the vehicle underthe current driving conditions; and (ii) discontinuing setup of thecommunication session and activates a timer with a time period for adelayed setup of a communication session in response to receiving, fromthe driver via the first electronic device, a negative response to therequest for the user input.

In one or more embodiments, verifying that the driver is able tocommunicate while safely operating the vehicle under the current drivingconditions includes: (i) transmitting a request, to the driver via thefirst electronic device, for a user input that indicates whether thedriver is able to communicate while safely operating the vehicle underthe current driving conditions; and (ii) completing setup of thecommunication session and pausing communication of content to the firstelectronic device in response to receiving a negative user input fromthe driver using the first electronic device. In one or more particularembodiments, later initiating communication of content to the firstelectronic device occurs in response to subsequently receiving anaffirmative user input from the driver using the first electronicdevice. In one or more embodiments, method 800 includes presenting anotification of one or more of an audio output and a visual output viaat least one output device at the at least one second electronic deviceindicating that the first electronic device is being used by a driver ina vehicle that is navigating in potentially difficult/hazardous drivingconditions.

In one or more embodiments, verifying that the driver is able tocommunicate while safely operating the vehicle under the current drivingconditions includes: (i) transmitting, to a navigation applicationexecuted by or communicating with the first electronic device, a requestfor data that indicates whether the driver is able to communicate whilesafely operating the vehicle under the current driving conditions; (iii)completing setup of the communication session in response to receiving,from the navigation application, an affirmative response to the requestfor the user input; and (iii) discontinuing setup of the communicationsession and activating a timer with a time period for a delayed setup ofa communication session in response to receiving, from the navigationapplication, a negative response to the request for the user input.

With reference to FIG. 9 , method 900 includes an electronic systemcommunicating, via a communication subsystem and a communicationnetwork, with a first electronic device participating in a communicationsession with at least one second electronic device, the communicationsession hosted by the electronic system (block 902). Method 900 includesidentifying that the first electronic device is being used by a driverin a vehicle (block 904). Method 900 includes receiving data (e.g.,navigation/weather service data, first image stream of the driver thatincluded stressed or unstressed facial condition and/or stressed orunstressed posture, second image stream of road conditions in front ofthe vehicle, etc.) about the driver, vehicle, external conditions to thevehicle, and first electronic device that indicates whether currentdriving conditions allow the driver to communicate with the establishedcommunication session without degrading driving performance (block 906).Method 900 includes restricting transmission of new communication inputsfrom the communication session to the first electronic device whiledetermining whether the current driving condition allows the driver tocommunicate without degrading driving performance (block 908). Method900 includes transmitting, to the first electronic device, a request fora user input that indicates whether current driving conditions allow thedriver to communicate without degrading driving performance (block 910).Method 900 includes determining whether an affirmative user response isreceived (decision block 912). In response to determining that anaffirmative user response is received verifying that the driver is ableto communicate without restrictions under the current drivingconditions, method 900 includes restoring the communication session(block 914). Then method 900 returns to block 902. In response todetermining that an affirmative user response is not received, method900 includes continuing to reduce distractions for the driver by one of:(i) disconnecting the first electronic device from the communicationsession and activating a timer with a time period for performing a nextcheck prior to reconnecting the first electronic device to thecommunication session; or (ii) pausing the communication session untilan affirmative user response is received (block 916). Then method 900ends.

In one or more embodiments, method 900 includes receiving, from thefirst electronic device, a first image stream that captures at least oneof a face of the driver or a forward view of surrounding conditions ofthe vehicle. Method 900 includes analyzing the first image stream todetermine whether the first electronic device is being used by a driverin a vehicle that is moving, and that the driver is potentially in achallenging driving condition. Method 900 includes restricting thecommunication session to reduce distractions to the driver in responseto determining that the first electronic device is being used by thedriver in the vehicle that is moving, and that the driver is potentiallyin the challenging driving condition.

In one or more embodiments, method 900 includes receiving, from thefirst electronic device, a first image stream that captures at least aface of the driver. Method 900 includes analyzing the first image streamfor one or more of a stressed expression or tense posture of the driver.Method 900 includes determining whether the current driving conditionallow the driver to communicate without degrading driving performancebased on whether the stressed expression or tense posture is identified.Method 900 includes restoring the communication session in response toverifying that the driver is able to communicate without restrictionsunder the current driving conditions.

In one or more embodiments, determining whether the driver is able tocommunicate in the current driving condition without degrading drivingperformance includes: (i) receiving information identifying a geographiclocation and direction of movement of the first electronic device; and(ii) querying one or more of a navigation service and weather servicefor information of a corresponding one of hazardous traffic conditionsand hazardous road conditions at the location.

In one or more embodiments, determining whether the current drivingcondition allows the driver to communicate without degrading drivingperformance includes: (i) transmitting, to the first electronic device,a request for a user input that indicates whether current drivingconditions allow the driver to communicate without degrading drivingperformance; (ii) pausing the communication session in response toreceiving, from the driver via the first electronic device, a negativeuser response to the request for the user input; and (iii) restoring thecommunication session in response to receiving, from the driver via thefirst electronic device, an affirmative user response to the request forthe user input.

In one or more embodiments, determining whether the current drivingconditions allow the driver to communicate without degrading drivingperformance includes: (i) transmitting, to the first electronic device,a request for a user input that indicates whether current drivingconditions allow the driver to communicate without degrading drivingperformance; (ii) disconnecting the first electronic device from thecommunication session in response to receiving, from the driver via thefirst electronic device, a negative user response to the request for theuser input; and (iii) activating a timer with a time period forreconnecting the first electronic device to the communication session.

In one or more embodiments, method 900 includes presenting a prompt ofone or more of an audio output and a visual output at one or more outputdevices to indicate that the first electronic device is being used by adriver in a vehicle. In one or more particular embodiments, method 900includes communicating the prompt, via the communication subsystem andthe communication network, to at least one of the at least one secondelectronic devices.

In one or more embodiments, method 900 includes: (i) receiving an audiostream from the first electronic device; (ii) comparing current speechdetected in the audio stream to baseline speech characterized asunstressed; and (iii) restricting the communication session to reducedistractions to the driver at least in part based on a change in a soundcharacterization of the current speech by more than a baseline thresholdamount indicating stressed speech, while the driver is potentially in achallenging driving condition.

Aspects of the present innovation are described above with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinnovation. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, embodiments of thepresent innovation may be embodied as a system, device, and/or method.Accordingly, embodiments of the present innovation may take the form ofan entirely hardware embodiment or an embodiment combining software andhardware embodiments that may all generally be referred to herein as a“circuit,” “module” or “system.”

While the innovation has been described with reference to exemplaryembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the innovation. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular system,device, or component thereof to the teachings of the innovation withoutdeparting from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intendedthat the innovation is not limited to the particular embodimentsdisclosed for carrying out this innovation, but that the innovation willinclude all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote anyorder or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are usedto distinguish one element from another.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the innovation.As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprise”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present innovation has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the innovation in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the innovation. Theembodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the innovation and the practical application, and toenable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the innovationfor various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic system comprising: a communicationsubsystem connectable to a communication network; a controllercommunicatively connected to the communication subsystem, and which:communicates, via the communication subsystem and the communicationnetwork, with a first electronic device participating in a communicationsession with at least one second electronic device, the communicationsession hosted by the electronic system; in response to determining thatthe first electronic device is being used by a driver in a vehicle:receives data from the first electronic device that indicates whethercurrent driving conditions allow the driver to communicate withoutdegrading driving performance; and restricts transmission of newcommunication inputs from the communication session to the firstelectronic device to reduce distractions to the driver when the receiveddata indicates the driver is potentially in a challenging drivingcondition.
 2. The electronic system of claim 1, wherein the controller:receives, from the first electronic device, a first image stream thatcaptures at least one of a face of the driver or a forward view ofsurrounding conditions of the vehicle; analyzes the first image streamto determine whether the first electronic device is being used by adriver in a vehicle that is moving and that the driver is potentially ina challenging driving condition; and restricts the communication sessionto reduce distractions to the driver in response to determining that thefirst electronic device is being used by the driver in the vehicle thatis moving and that the driver is potentially in the challenging drivingcondition.
 3. The electronic system of claim 1, wherein the controller:receives, from the first electronic device, a first image stream thatcaptures at least a face of the driver; and analyzes the first imagestream for one or more of a stressed expression or tense posture of thedriver; determines whether the current driving condition allow thedriver to communicate without degrading driving performance based onwhether the stressed expression or tense posture is identified; andrestores the communication session in response to verifying that thedriver is able to communicate without restrictions under the currentdriving conditions.
 4. The electronic system of claim 1, wherein, todetermine whether the driver is able to communicate in the currentdriving condition without degrading driving performance, the controller:receives information identifying a geographic location and direction ofmovement of the first electronic device; and queries one or more of anavigation service and weather service for information of acorresponding one of hazardous traffic conditions and hazardous roadconditions at the location.
 5. The electronic system of claim 1,wherein, to determine whether the current driving condition allows thedriver to communicate without degrading driving performance, thecontroller: transmits a request, to the first electronic device, a userinput that indicates whether current driving conditions allow the driverto communicate without degrading driving performance; pauses thecommunication session in response to receiving, from the driver via thefirst electronic device, a negative user response to the request for theuser input; and restores the communication session in response toreceiving, from the driver via the first electronic device, anaffirmative user response to the request for the user input.
 6. Theelectronic system of claim 1, wherein, to determine whether the currentdriving conditions allow the driver to communicate without degradingdriving performance, the controller: transmits a request, to the firstelectronic device, for a user input that indicates whether currentdriving conditions allow the driver to communicate without degradingdriving performance; disconnects the first electronic device from thecommunication session in response to receiving, from the driver via thefirst electronic device, a negative user response to the request for theuser input; and activates a timer with a time period for reconnectingthe first electronic device to the communication session.
 7. Theelectronic system of claim 1, further comprising at least one outputdevice that presents one or more of an audio output and a visual outputand that is communicatively coupled to the controller, and whichpresents a prompt at the at least one output device indicating that thefirst electronic device is being used by a driver in a vehicle.
 8. Theelectronic system of claim 7, wherein the controller communicates theprompt, via the communication subsystem and the communication network,to at least a third electronic device of the at least one secondelectronic devices.
 9. The electronic system of claim 1, wherein thecontroller: receives an audio stream from the first electronic device;compares current speech detected in the audio stream to baseline speechcharacterized as unstressed; and restricts the communication session toreduce distractions to the driver at least in part based on a change ina sound characterization of the current speech by more than a baselinethreshold amount indicating stressed speech while the driver ispotentially in a challenging driving condition.
 10. A method comprising:communicating, via a communication subsystem of an electronic system andvia a communication network, with a first electronic deviceparticipating in a communication session with at least one secondelectronic device, the communication session hosted by the electronicsystem; and in response to determining that the first electronic deviceis being used by a driver in a vehicle: receiving data about the firstelectronic device that indicates whether current driving conditionsallow the driver to communicate without degrading driving performance;and restricting transmission of new communication inputs from thecommunication session to the first electronic device to reducedistractions to the driver when the received data indicates the driveris potentially in a challenging driving condition.
 11. The method ofclaim 10, further comprising: receiving, from the first electronicdevice, a first image stream that captures at least one of a face of thedriver or a forward view of surrounding conditions of the vehicle;analyzing the first image stream to determine whether the firstelectronic device is being used by a driver in a vehicle that is movingand that the driver is potentially in a challenging driving condition;and restricting the communication session to reduce distractions to thedriver in response to determining that the first electronic device isbeing used by the driver in the vehicle that is moving and that thedriver is potentially in the challenging driving condition.
 12. Themethod of claim 10, further comprising: receiving, from the firstelectronic device, a first image stream that captures at least a face ofthe driver; and analyzing the first image stream for one or more of astressed expression or tense posture of the driver; determining whetherthe current driving condition allow the driver to communicate withoutdegrading driving performance based on whether the stressed expressionor tense posture is identified; and restoring the communication sessionin response to verifying that the driver is able to communicate withoutrestrictions under the current driving conditions.
 13. The method ofclaim 10, wherein determining whether the driver is able tocommunication in the current driving condition without degrading drivingperformance comprises: receiving information identifying a geographiclocation and direction of movement of the first electronic device; andquerying one or more of a navigation service and weather service forinformation of a corresponding one of hazardous traffic conditions andhazardous road conditions at the location.
 14. The method of claim 10,wherein determining whether the current driving condition allows thedriver to communicate without degrading driving performance comprises:transmitting a request, to the first electronic device, a user inputthat indicates whether current driving conditions allow the driver tocommunicate without degrading driving performance; pausing thecommunication session in response to receiving, from the driver via thefirst electronic device, a negative user response to the request for theuser input; and restoring the communication session in response toreceiving, from the driver via the first electronic device, anaffirmative user response to the request for the user input.
 15. Themethod of claim 10, wherein determining whether the current drivingconditions allow the driver to communicate without degrading drivingperformance comprises: transmitting a request, to the first electronicdevice, for a user input that indicates whether current drivingconditions allow the driver to communicate without degrading drivingperformance; disconnecting the first electronic device from thecommunication session in response to receiving, from the driver via thefirst electronic device, a negative user response to the request for theuser input; and activates a timer with a time period for reconnectingthe first electronic device to the communication session.
 16. The methodof claim 10, further comprising presenting a prompt of one or more of anaudio output and a visual output at one or more output devices toindicate that the first electronic device is being used by a driver in avehicle.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising communicatingthe prompt, via the communication subsystem and the communicationnetwork, to at least a third electronic device of the at least onesecond electronic devices.
 18. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising: receiving an audio stream from the first electronic device;comparing current speech detected in the audio stream to baseline speechcharacterized as unstressed; and restricting the communication sessionto reduce distractions to the driver at least in part based on a changein a sound characterization of the current speech by more than abaseline threshold amount indicating stressed speech while the driver ispotentially in a challenging driving condition.
 19. A computer programproduct comprising: a computer readable storage device; and program codeon the computer readable storage device that when executed by aprocessor associated with an electronic system, the program code enablesthe electronic system to provide functionality of: communicating, via acommunication subsystem of an electronic system and via a communicationnetwork, with a first electronic device participating in a communicationsession with at least one second electronic device, the communicationsession hosted by the electronic system; and in response to determiningthat the first electronic device is being used by a driver in a vehicle:receiving data about the first electronic device that indicates whethercurrent driving conditions allow the driver to communicate withoutdegrading driving performance; and restricting transmission of newcommunication inputs from the communication session to the firstelectronic device to reduce distractions to the driver when the receiveddata indicates the driver is potentially in a challenging drivingcondition.
 20. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein theprogram code enables the electronic system to provide functionality of:receiving, from the first electronic device, a first image stream thatcaptures at least one of a face of the driver or a forward view ofsurrounding conditions of the vehicle; analyzing the first image streamto determine whether the first electronic device is being used by adriver in a vehicle that is moving and that the driver is potentially ina challenging driving condition; and restricting the communicationsession to reduce distractions to the driver in response to determiningthat the first electronic device is being used by the driver in thevehicle that is moving and that the driver is potentially in thechallenging driving condition.